Guardian of Britain's Northern Trade Routes
An aerial photograph of a British destroyer under way, with text on Northern convoy protection and arms sent to the Soviet Union. The tell for card stacking is 'hundreds of British destroyers' stated without losses or convoy outcomes; the 'For Freedom' emblem is the glittering-generalities marker.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1939
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- British government 'For Freedom' picture series (no issuing department or printer named on the sheet)
- Region
- Western and Central Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Churchill Government
- Leader
- Winston Churchill
- Audience
- Mixed
- Purpose
- Persuade or win support
- Theme
- War and the military
- Event
- World War II
- Leader
- Winston Churchill
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Foreign Posters, retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- Held by NARA, Unrestricted; hosted by owner decision
British government 'For Freedom' series (issuer not named on sheet). National Archives and Records Administration, 44-PF-172q.
Text on the object
GUARDIAN OF BRITAIN'S NORTHERN TRADE ROUTES THIS BRITISH DESTROYER is on regular patrol duties, guarding the vital Northern trade routes, which bring food and war supplies to the island fortress of Britain. By these important routes also, are sent the urgent arms and equipment to sustain Britain's Russian allies. This is just one of the hundreds of British destroyers constantly watching these routes for enemy surface raiders and U-boats, so that our merchant ships may sail the seas and discharge their important cargoes in safety. [emblem:] FOR FREEDOM [sheet mark:] E.D.6.
